November 3
Portuguese Coach Puts "Captain" Valverde on the Spot Regarding Position Changes
Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has stated that he needs three years to lead the team to a "state of perfection," noting that Federico Valverde will continue to play in various positions depending on the team's needs.
Mourinho addressed several tactical matters, including the depth of attacking options, the development of Arda Güler, and the challenges posed by the upcoming match against AEK Athens.
The Portuguese coach’s remarks came during a press conference held on Tuesday, ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League league-phase clash against the Greek side, AEK Athens.
Mourinho: Valverde will play wherever Real Madrid needs him
Mourinho touched upon the continued use of Valverde as a full-back, expressing satisfaction with the player's performance in that role. At the same time, he acknowledged the team's need for him in midfield, given the limited options available in that area.
As reported by the Spanish press, Mourinho said: "I see Valverde as a vital player for the team. Being a captain at Real Madrid allows him to view things from a different perspective. When you are a captain, you have to be different—it carries a responsibility—and I believe this prepares him to play in any position his team and teammates require. That, to me, is what a captain is; therefore, I am confident that playing in any position will not be an issue for Fede." These remarks might cause some embarrassment for Valverde, especially given that the Uruguayan previously expressed his dissatisfaction with being moved from his usual position last season.
He added: "The team’s squad was built with Valverde in the midfield, which means we don’t have a large number of players for that position. We have Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Bernardo, and Tiago Pitarch—that’s about it. So, I am certain that Valverde will return to playing in the midfield as well."
He continued: "Am I happy with him playing as a full-back? Yes. Does the team perform better on that flank with him there? Yes. We all appreciate having him as a full-back, but he will also need to play in the midfield."
Multiple attacking options... and Mourinho identifies the best choice for the left flank.
Regarding the possibility of fielding Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Yan Diomandé together against AEK Athens—and whether he intends to assign them fixed positions—Mourinho pointed out that he has numerous attacking options, noting that Brahim Díaz and Endrick are also players capable of filling multiple roles.
He said: "You’re also forgetting Brahim and Endrick; we have a lot of high-quality players here. For me, having a large number of players is never a problem."
He explained: "Diomandé can play on either wing, as can Brahim, and Endrick is capable of playing on both the right and left sides. However, Vinícius is the player best suited to playing on the left wing—we know that very well." Mourinho defers assessment of Arda Güler
When asked whether Arda Güler’s development had reached the level of an elite-tier player, the Portuguese coach offered a brief response, noting that the player would not be available for the match against AEK Athens.
He joked, "He’s out for tomorrow’s match—ask me again on Friday (ahead of the La Liga game against Valencia)."
Mourinho cites a historical statistic as a warning to Real Madrid
Mourinho emphasized the difficulty of the encounter with AEK Athens, pointing to several factors that make it a complex test—from the strength of the opponent and the playing conditions in Greece, to the extra motivation teams gain when facing Real Madrid.
"It comes down to a few factors," he said. "They are champions, and we have faced many champions throughout these eight matches. Greece is always a tough place to play, and Real Madrid—the kings of Europe—have managed only one win in eight visits to Greece."
He added, "I played here twice many years ago, and I know how difficult it is to play in such an atmosphere. They also have a very demanding Champions League schedule, and they surely see their home matches as their best opportunity to secure points."
He continued, "Every opponent becomes highly motivated the moment they see that white jersey. This is a match that requires our absolute focus and readiness; if we aren't at our best, we won't win."
Three years to reach perfection! At the conclusion of the press conference, Mourinho was asked how much time Real Madrid would need to reach perfection under his guidance, given that he had already spent nearly four months with the team. His response was brief and decisive: "Three years... three seasons."
It is worth noting that, at the start of the season, Mourinho signed a three-year contract, meaning he will remain at the helm of the 'Royal' club until June 2029.
